Mariusz sets new Irish, Polish Ironman records

Kilcullen gym owner Mariusz Olejniczak completed a remarkable double when he managed to finish the gruelling 2018 Ironman World Championships in Hawaii last Saturday in under both the Irish and Polish World Championship record times for what is considered the ultimate Ironman competition.

In unforgiving heat, the competitors raced through a 2.4 mile swim, 112-mile bike route and finish with a 26.2 mile marathon. Displaying both the Polish and Irish flags on his tri-suit, Mariusz completed the course in 8hr 46min, ten minutes faster than the Irish record set by James Curran this year and two minutes faster than the Polish record set by Olympian Marek Jaskółka in 2014.

Many hours of running on the roads around Kilcullen and biking through the Wicklow mountains stood to him on the day as he completed the bike and marathon courses, crossing the line in 6th place in the world for his age group. Mariusz is now officially the fastest Ironman World Championship competitor based in Ireland.

NOTE: This story was edited to clarify the fact that it relates to record times in the Hawaii event.

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